What are we looking forward to the most in Cascade?
Don’t get us wrong, winter here in the Cascade, Idaho region is lovely, and there’s at least a hundred reasons why!
For one, if you love snow and all things snow-related including skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, ice fishing, snow-biking, sledding, snowmobiling, photography, snowshoeing, or simply gazing upon the mountains all snuggled up in white as you sip on your favorite Idaho wine or microbrew, winter is just the best!
It’s no secret anymore that Cascade, Idaho and its surrounding areas are the Treasure Valley (and beyond!)’s winter playground. Beyond all the winter activities there is to enjoy that we just mentioned, it’s famous for its hot springs and indoor activities too!
As winter melts into the season ahead, one question often gets asked, “What is there to do in Cascade in the spring?”
Here is a list of activities and events happening in Cascade this year (and beyond!) that will keep the inner adventurer engaged, and the homebody feeling content and pampered too.
Outdoor Adventures
Due to the elevation, (4,760 to be exact) Cascade, ID tends to receive a lot more snow, and hold onto it a lot longer than their neighbors in the Treasure Valley. So that means that when the I-84 corridor is bare, they still have feet of snow to enjoy and even some ice on Lake Cascade!
So if you are into snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, snowbikes, snowboarding, skiing, sledding, snowmobiling and more, Cascade can still accommodate winter sports enthusiasts weeks, and even months after any thought of winter has come and gone in the lower elevations.
A good way to keep up to date with the snow and lake conditions in the area is to follow the Cascade Chamber of Commerce on social media, and of course don’t be afraid to ask local business owners too.
But even as “mud-season” sets upon the area, there is still plenty of outdoor to adore, like the Crown Point Trail, The Strand, and other areas in Cascade, ID that are a bit more resilient, and therefore perfect for hiking and sightseeing.
With so many hot springs in our local area, the cool air of spring can be the perfect compliment for a soak, so inquire as well about local hot springs, reservations, and more!
Fishing is one of the most treasured pastimes here in Valley County, ID and one that we know many of you will continue to enjoy as the weather warms up and the snow begins to pull back. Ice fishing is one of their claims to fame, but spring, summer and fall are their times to shine as well! With so many local experts and retail stores designed to ensure that you have a great time, Cascade is truly an angler’s mecca, year-round!
If you are looking for fishing conditions or insider tips on where to go, Tackle Tom’s, Valley Bait and Tackle and Sportsman’s Warehouse in Meridian will take good care of you.
And here’s something else that you can’t enjoy doing just anywhere, and that’s hunting for morel mushrooms! When the daytime temps hover in the 60’s and the nightime temps stay above freezing, the morels come out to play! Look for them on the sunny side of the slopes (but be careful, it’s mud season so protect your mountain playground and your knees!). Morels love to pop up around trees, and loamy, well drained soil (especially after it rains!).
Give them a good rinse at home, and enjoy some of the best edible mushrooms this side of any mountain.
Mother nature likes to show off its new residents as the trees and other green things start to bloom, making Cascade perfect for baby animal watching, and bird watching too! Nothing beats seeing our feathered and furry friends in their natural habitat, but they are shy so make sure you respect THEIR mountain playground too.
As the sun starts to hang around longer each day and melt the fun of the winter away, you might be thinking that it’s time to hang up your skis for the season. But in this neck of the woods, that’s when it’s pond-skimming season!
Pond Skimming? Yes! And there’s even a competition to put your pond-skimming skills to the test, with crazy outfits and everything! If you think you can whip up a crowd, get creative and skim with some finesse, then join in on this one-of-a-kind, “only in Idaho” kind of event!
Class 5 Fun begins in Cascade during the spring too. This is when kayakers in the know, know that the Payette river hits class 5 level when it comes to rapids! Whether you are looking to feed your need for adrenaline, practice your skills or just watch the fun, Kelly’s White Water Park is the perfect spot for both!
Photo credit Chelsea Tuttle
Beat Cabin Fever and Appease your Spring Fever!
One of the most amazing things about Cascade, ID is the fact that there is truly something for everyone. This is something of a trope, but in this case, it’s very true!
With more ways to stay and play opening literally every day, there’s so much more to enjoy in Cascade, ID than rugged or ambitious outdoor adventuring.
There’s a vintage movie theater (The Roxy) that has been lovingly maintained, updated and restored, as well as a multitude of locations to grab the best bite of your life, a fine glass of wine, and a microbrew or too!
A great new place to enjoy a few of the things we mentioned above is the Palooza Base Camp and Eatery. Whether you are ready for some indoor fun after a long day in the backcountry, or are looking forward to a staycation away from home, Palooza offers axe-throwing, accommodations, great eats, and microbrews to please!
Spring is the perfect time to start planning for those summer memories, and the area’s many hotels, inns, motels, lodges, resorts, and RV parks are ready to begin taking your reservations!
As beautiful as they all are, they are soon to fill up fast, so this is your friendly warning to make the call or book your family reunion or getaway before someone else gets your spot!
Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a mid-week break, or a week or longer, Cascade ID offers the kind of amenities and luxuries that you might expect from a much more populated destination.
Cascade, ID boasts its own indoor geothermal swimming pool and a recreation center that rivals some of the best in the valley below, and lodging and dining facilities that are bound to send you back home bragging.
There’s truly no need, appetite or desire that Cascade, ID can’t satisfy, and we’re only talking about spring!
For a full list of amenities, businesses, events and more, check out the directory, and plan your next vacation or adventure in this year-round playground!
